July 2017 | 101
Onwards to Weybourne Station , gem of the North Norfolk heritage railway and a great spot for the railway buff and photographer ( some capacity to carry cycles ). Weybourne village offers accommodation , and a pub , caf� and shop� but take care around this busy coast road . All Saints ’ Church was built on the site of an Augustian Priory in the 15 th century . It ’ s a short ride down to the shingle beach with lovely coastline views .
There�s a challenging hill out of Weybourne to �elling Heath before joining the Norfolk Coast Cycleway across Salthouse �eath towards Wiveton . Take the lane for Glandford and , using the footbridge alongside Glandford ford , it ’ s worth making time to explore St Martins Church and the adjoining Shell Museum , both real jewels : listen out for the three-hourly hymn tune played by the clarion of 12 bells . Nearby , Glandford Barns host Birdscapes Gallery , Art Café and Cley Spy optics , among others . Natural Surroundings offers wildlife-friendly gardens and grounds , as well as a cafe , shop and plant sales .
In Letheringsett , take care crossing the A148 main road . The working water mill is sometimes open to watch �our being produced and to buy . Cross the ford over the River Glaven , a rare and beautiful chalk river , currently being restored , and following the river valley you will pass a remnant of the former M��N railway line on the way to Hunworth .
�ere , St �aurence Church contains a large �oor memorial to a ��ay-mafter of his Ma�esty�s �xchequer Bills� ��dmund Briffe� who died in ���� . The �unny Bell pub is by the �olt to Briston road . Mount �arm is where the �int and carstone octagonal tower is all that remains of the original St Peter and St Paul Church , the replacement being a little further on – hunt out the window with bicycling rector ! �n �dgefield , carefully cross the �olt to Norwich road into Plumstead road .
All Saints Church , Hempstead has a thatched altar end , and continuing towards Baconsthorpe , note a sign for Baconshorpe Castle � a three-quarter mile detour to see the peaceful remains of a once fortified manor house ( free entry ). Back on the route and St Marys Church is a short distance off before passing the redundant church of St Peter of Barningham Norwood as you complete the loop and rejoin the cycleway .
The Norfolk Coast Cycleway was launched in 1998 using Sustrans National Route 1 ( King ’ s Lynn to Wighton ) combined with regional route 30 , following quiet roads and lanes through the Norfolk countryside on to Cromer and eventually Great Yarmouth . Visit www . norfolkcoastaonb . org . uk / cycling to find out more .
Published by the Norfolk Coast Partnership , the full route map guide also has 10 ‘ explorer ’ loops , links , optional and alternative routes marked and described . Copies are available priced £ 4 ( p & p included ) – details at norfolkcoastaonb . org . uk .